Before Jesus Changed My Life

I grew up in a Christian household, however, my faith was not something I really cared about or thought much about. I mostly just went through life without paying attention to it. I also tried to figure things out in my life on my own and didn’t really look to God for guidance. When I felt anxious or overwhelmed, I would try to satisfy that sadness and worry with other worldly things, but nothing ever truly helped or lasted.

During high school, I struggled with a lot of worry and anxiety and didn’t really know how to handle it. I often felt overwhelmed and didn’t have a clear place to turn for peace. When I got to college, I was brought to the point of realizing that something needed to change in my life.

How Jesus Changed My Life

When I arrived at college, I began attending Salt Company after being introduced to it through my sister, who was involved in Salt in Ames. While I was there, I started talking with a friend about how to better understand the Bible and what it meant for my life. She shared a verse with me, Philippians 4:6–7, which talks about not being anxious and about how God’s peace will guard your heart and mind.

That verse gave me hope, a hope I was not able to achieve on my own strength. It was the first time I really felt God speaking through His Word directly to what I was struggling with. This led me to being more involved in Salt and spending more time learning about the Bible and growing in my faith.

As I continued to learn more, God opened my eyes to see the beauty of the Gospel and gave me spiritual sight to understand my need for Him. I began to realize that I had been trying to live life on my own terms, thinking I could fix things myself and earn my way to being okay. But I came to understand that I cannot earn my salvation and that my sin separates me from God.

I learned that Jesus is the one who makes a way for me to be right with God. Through His death on the cross, He paid the penalty for my sins, and through Him I can be forgiven and brought into a relationship with God. Because of Jesus, I am no longer separated from God, but made new and brought close to Him.

As I did, I noticed a real change in my life. I felt happier and less anxious than before, and I began to understand more about who God is and how much He cares for me. 

My Life After Jesus Saved Me

Since putting my faith in Jesus, I have experienced a lot more peace. I still face situations that could make me anxious, but I know that I can bring those worries to God and trust Him with them, and remembering Philippians 4:6-7, which says “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This reminds me that I can always bring my requests and worries to God through prayer and his peace will guard my heart and my mind.

Another big change in my life is the community I’ve found. I now have people around me who encourage me in my faith, answer questions, and help me grow in my relationship with God.

Because of how God has worked in my life, I also stepped into leadership this year and became a leader for a Salt Company group. I’m grateful for how God has changed my life and given me hope, peace, and a community to grow with.